NFL Team Reports: AFC North
Several times a week, The Trenches will present team reports from Sporting News’ 32 NFL correspondents. Check back each day for the latest news on your team.
The Bengals’ strengths have been running the ball and defense. They showed neither in a 37-0 defeat at the hands of the Jets, a game in which the Bengals tied the record for worst loss in the franchise’s 42-year history. Instead of entering the playoffs with momentum, the Bengals limp into the postseason as a physically, mentally and emotionally drained team. Knowing his injury-riddled squad needs to get healthy, coach Marvin Lewis rested five starters: DT Domata Peko(notes) (knee), LE Robert Geathers(notes) (knee) and FS Chris Crocker(notes) (ankle) on defense, and RB Cedric Benson(notes) (hip) and TE J.P. Foschi(notes) (neck) on offense.
The injury crisis only worsened during the game when DT Pat Sims(notes) suffered a broken forearm, FS Tom Nelson(notes) sprained a knee and WR Chad Ochocinco(notes) escaped to the locker room in the third quarter for treatment on the left knee he wrenched in pregame warmups. Before Sunday, the longest running play against the defense was 24 yards. The Jets’ Brad Smith(notes) took care of that with a 57-yard burst out of the Wildcat formation in the first quarter. Unless they magically regain their confidence on both sides of the ball, the Bengals’ playoff run will be one and done.
— Chick Ludwig
In what might have been his final performance with the Steelers, RB Willie Parker(notes) rushed for 91 yards on only 12 carries — his second-highest total of a season in which he lost his starting job to Rashard Mendenhall(notes). Parker, though, had 74 yards on nine carries on the final 83-yard drive, including a 34-yarder to the Miami 8 to set up Jeff Reed’s(notes) final field goal. Parker will be an unrestricted free agent and wants to be a starter. With Parker likely leaving, the Steelers then must draft a backup to Mendenhall. … The team needs to address several areas on the defense, especially along its aging line. Also, ILB James Farrior(notes) turns 35 in January and has had problems in coverage. Problem is, his backups are not ready to play. One of their priorities will be drafting an inside linebacker to groom as Farrior’s successor.
— Gerry Dulac
It looked as though the pass defense had improved in recent weeks, but it was more because of the competition (Chicago, Detroit) than better play from the secondary and linebackers. Since the second game of the season against San Diego, the Ravens have yet to beat a good team with a good quarterback. Even though the Ravens won Sunday, Raiders backup QB Charlie Frye(notes) lit up the Ravens’ secondary by completing 18-of-25 passes for 180 yards before being sideline with a back injury at the half. The Ravens played a lot of zone Sunday, but the Raiders tortured the secondary with mid-range passes. To beat Tom Brady(notes) and the Ravens next Sunday, the Ravens must tighten up in the middle of the field. They also must get veteran ILB Ray Lewis(notes) off the field in passing situations because he has become a liability in coverage.
— Mike Preston
The Browns finished a 5-11 season with four consecutive wins, playing with a determination that will make it hard for new president Mike Holmgren to fire coach Eric Mangini. Holmgren, though, has said he wouldn’t decide Mangini’s fate until after the season finale, so it could take a few days before an announcement is made. After Sunday’s win over Jacksonville, Mangini stepped on the gas in campaigning to stay on for 2010. His team entered the final game ranked 32nd in total defense and total offense but showed progress on both sides of the ball after a horrid 1-11 start.
On offense, the running game was strong, reaching 2,000 yards for the first time since 1985. The passing game, though, netted 129.8 yards on average, the team’s lowest total since 1974. RB Jerome Harrison(notes) rushed for 127 against the Jaguars, giving him 561 yards in his last three games. That should cement the conclusion he is worth, at minimum, keeping as part of a tandem. QB Derek Anderson(notes) threw only 11 passes on a wintery Sunday, not getting a chance to prove whether he is worth considering as a long-term starter. One of Holmgren’s first moves after deciding Mangini’s fate is weighing the merits of Anderson and Brady Quinn(notes). Holmgren has done an excellent job disguising his inclinations, which means the early part of the offseason could be full of surprises.
— Steve Doerschuk
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